Present were Supervisor Stuart Visser, Treasurer Jan Steggerda,
Clerk Jeff Ebihara, Trustees Bret Docter, Doug Dreyer, Amanda Price,
John Van Iwaarden, and Attorney Dan Martin.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$3,475,365

Receipts........................................................................$  229,614

Disbursements................................................................$  205,233

Ending Balance...............................................................$3,499,746

PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Jean Mulder – 1747 Ottawa Beach Road – is a Pickle Ball player and an ambassador for the national organization.  She stated Pickle ball is a great generational sport.  It would be a great opportunity to have Pickle ball in Park Township. She offered to teach classes if the township chooses to make this sport part of our recreation program.  She stated it would be a great draw to Park Township’s recreational program.

Mr. Hoving – 15961 Riley – lives between Riley and 160^th – stated he cannot keep the water out of his basement.

Jeff Blake – 15759 Fendt Farm – has never had water problems in 15 years. He stated water is coming thru the expansion cracks in his basement.

John Barwis – 3872 Hyder Ct. – stated he built his house 5 years ago.  His basement is 3 feet above the water table, now the water table is 2 feet above the floor of the basement.

Tom Scully – 16335 Greenly – has owned his home for 25 years and never had water problems.  Sump pump is cycling every 10 seconds.  Water is coming thru cracks in floor.  He asked if there is any independent monitoring of the Wyoming Water Treatment Plant by the township.

Visser stated we have records they have provided us.

Wilma Arens - 15674 New Holland – stated they have at least 8 inches of water in basement.  They have three (3) pumps going. 

Ken Herweyer - 15696 New Holland – their pond is flowing over into neighbor’s yard.  Their home is located two (2) houses off Butternut.

Jay Sharkey – 15865 Ryan Dr. – months ago he was doing lots of landscaping in his yard and he fell thru a sink hole in his front yard.  The sink hole went to his waist and developed into a 20-30 ft square area.  He stated his front yard is eroding from the water treatment plant.  He is concerned with the safety.

Brian Roxbury – 96 N. 168^th St. – stated he has lived in his home for six (6) years with no water problems.  He feels that the rising water table is to blame for the flooding.

Jeff Hardy – 15718 Ryan – expressed the same concerns as many of the other residents.

Isabel Johnson – 15877 Fendt Farm – stated they have experienced no water problems for the sixteen (16) years they have lived in the home.

Jay Ewing- 3862 Tall Grass East – stated their home was built 30 inches below natural grade, they have ½ inch of water in the basement. He feels the township needs to develop a comprehensive plan.

Jim Grant – 16222 Pinyon St. – stated he believes the flooding is not due to this specific event (rainfall).  He would like to see the records for the water treatment plant.

Jerry Schruer – 16308 Quincy St. – stated he has over eighteen (18) inches of water in his home which was built in 1969, there is water coming in every crack.

Lorna Gemmen - 15697 Ryan – stated the retention pond is full and there is water along the easement.

Waldemar Maj - 4200 Estate – stated he has lived in his home for 22 years  and this is the first year he has had water in his basement.

Chad VanNuil – 112 N. 168^th – feels the problem is coming from the water treatment plant and possibly the BPW plant.

Shawn Sluis – 124 N. 168^th – stated they have a pump running every 28 seconds in their basement for water.

Anna Murhead - 16391 Riley – stated they have water coming in their basement also. 

Dale Hoberman-14956 Creek Edge – explained their basement is flooded.  Their builder stated the home is built on sand and sump pumps are not required by township.  He stated that he spoke with Jonetta and placed his name on the list of residents with damage. 

Visser explained the list being formed by the Assessors office.

Donna Wehrmeyer – 4115 Estate Dr. – stated she has dealt with the same issues since 1991.  She feels the Wyoming Treatment Plant is contributing to the problems.  

Ruth Dykens – 4105 Estate – stated they have owned their home for 30 years.  She shared the research she has compiled regarding the flooding.  She stated the township board needs to look into the water treatment plant as a possible contributor to the problems the residents face.  She asked the board to work with the Ottawa County Road Commission to clean drains, because many of them are overgrown and have tree limbs and other things in them that may block the water flow.

Phil Spreitzer – 14518 Sylvan Dr. – stated his home has never had water until now.

Allan Croff – 15928 Fendt Farm – stated his foundation is bowed and is concerned about pressure from the water outside.

Doug Yonker – 15586 Greenly Dr. – inquired about how the township can make more drain ditches.

Visser explained how ditches and drains are formed and petitioned for.

Brant Graham – 4678 N. 160^th – has owned home for approximately fifteen (15) years and has experienced no water in that time until now. 

John VanDam – 15926 New Holland – stated he has never seen water in his backyard until now.

Adel Mendenhall – 15912 New Holland St. – stated there was an agreement formed with the water treatment plant in 1990-1991. She asked what was agreed upon.  

Visser explained the agreement with the water treatment plant.

Derek Stewart – 4628 N. 160^th – stated he believes there were settlements with some of the blueberry farms and the water treatment plants.

Dan Brown – read and submitted a letter from the water treatment plant.

Marcie Clark –16405 Quincy – how do residents assess damage by tomorrow afternoon?

Visser asked her to get the address to Jonetta and get the estimate to her as soon as she can (not necessarily by tomorrow afternoon).

Tamala VanderPloeg - 4691 Butternut – restated the concern about trees in the drainage ditches. 

Visser explained that the township will look into the possibility of dumpsters.

Grant asked if the board is receiving information from other townships and cities regarding the flooding problem.

Visser stated our local area has been hit hard along with a stretch from the west side of Iowa to Ontario.  Waukazoo Woods, South Shore Drive and the area represented tonight were all affected areas in Park Township.

Nicki Arendshorst-1653 South Shore Dr. – the residents close to her were inconsistently hit.  The City of Holland was also.

Greg Essenburg – 15812 New Holland – asked to have a representative from the Water Treatment Plant available to answer questions.  

Visser stated he will extend an invitation for a representative of the plant to attend the next board meeting.

Joel Welch – 679 Bosma – asked if an ambient water level has ever been taken.

Visser stated the County may have those numbers.

Sharkey asked if local permits were issued for water being disbursed or if there is any information available about the construction at the water treatment plant.

Visser stated that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) would be responsible for the water issues.  The township would only have been responsible for issuing a building permit.

Welling stated the Army Corps of Engineers in Grand Haven may have the information the resident is requesting.

Dykens – Tom Olsen at the Ottawa County Health Department only monitors their septic system.  She shared some additional information she has attained regarding the situation.

Residents stated that they are concerned about property values.

Mike Toscano – 1228 Oak Hampton – asked the board what the township could do as a community to help out.

Joel Welsh reminded the residents to take pictures of the damage.

PIER SAFETY ORDINANCE

Visser explained the letter and attachments submitted by Sgt. Koeman.

Visser stated if there is sufficient interest to look into this he will ask Sgt. Koeman to come the next meeting.  There is a bill regarding this issue being presented at the state level.

VanIwaarden stated the residents he spoke with understood the necessity but enforcement was an issue.

Sgt. DeVries expressed concern with enforcement.

Martin stated that the Township could appoint someone possibly from the DNR (if agreed upon) to supervise and enforce the ordinance.

Visser stated it would be a civil enforcement addressed locally.

Steggerda stated that the jumping off the pier on the channel side is a federal violation of law.

Docter would like the board to consider the ordinance and feels it is similar to setting up wake zones in Lake Macatawa.

Visser stated he would ask Sgt. Koeman to attend the next meeting to answer some questions.

Dreyer would like to see a law passed at the state level for better enforcement.

Ebihara stated the board should confirm that no signs are currently present on the north side of the pier to restrict jumping or diving.  He voiced his concerns with enforcing this type of ordinance.

No action on the ordinance was taken, the board agreed to ask Sgt. Koeman to attend a future meeting to answer questions and to monitor the bill at the state level.

FAIRGROUND LEASE AMENDMENT

Visser introduced this agenda item.

Visser and Docter recommend the amendments proposed to the Fairground lease.

Docter explained some key points of the document.

Docter stated he would like to change the lease date to April 1^st 2008.

Steggerda proposed that the payment on the lease be moved to no later than   August 15^th.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by VanIwaarden to approve the fairground lease amendment.

Docter stated it will be amended for this year regarding date.

Price asked how trees on the fair property would be trimmed as necessary for the airport.

Docter stated we have control to do that when necessary.

Ebihara asked how many years are left on the lease.

Martin stated the lease expires on March 31, 2020.

Ebihara asked if anyone resides on the property.

Docter stated there is a provision in the lease which allows a grounds manager to reside on the premises.

VanderKooi stated the person who resides on the property is there for security purposes and performs limited routine maintenance.

PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS

Visser recommended Monica (Nicki) Arendshorst and LeeAnn Jachim for reappointment to the Planning Commission.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by Docter to re-appoint Monica Arendshorst to the Planning Commission.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by VanIwaarden to re-appoint LeeAnne Jachim to the Planning Commission.

Visser stated the Planning Commission has an opening for appointment.  Visser recommended Ed DeVries.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by VanIwaarden and supported by Ebihara to appoint Ed DeVries to a regular three (3) year term on the Planning Commission.

FIREWORKS DISPLAY APPLICATION 

Visser stated the fair has asked for a permit for fireworks.

Mr. Welling has supplied the board with the necessary paperwork.

Welling stated this is the 50^th Anniversary of the Ottawa County Fair.  The fair is the 2^nd largest visited occasion in Holland next to the Tulip Time Festival.  The Fireworks display is being considered for Saturday July 19^th.  A Lakeshore Idol Contest (all 10 acts have committed) will be held on the same date prior to the display.  The cost to the fair is $14,000. The fair board is requesting $500-$1000 from the Township for help with the festivities.

Visser stated the finance committee would discuss the monetary commitment the township would consider.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Docter to approve the fireworks display application submitted by the Ottawa County Fair Board for Saturday, July 19^th 2008.

Steggerda asked if the cost is reduced if attendees come only for the fireworks.

Welling stated the cost will be $10 per car and a coupon will be available for $5 off per car on the Ottawa County Fair web site or in the fair brochure.  The coupon should be presented at the fair entrance.  The price includes both events.

COMMITTEE REPORTS           

VanIwaarden stated he would discuss the event with the Parks and Recreation Committee regarding the Enchanted Forest and ask for the approval of the board for that event at a future meeting. The committee has been very pleased with the Enchanted Forest and how well it is run.

Visser will contact Mr. Holstine and reassure him that it is the intention of the township to continue this event but needs the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Committee.

Docter asked if there have been any problems reported.

No problems have been reported.

Dreyer stated he has been very impressed with the organization of the event.

Price reviewed her handout regarding the meetings she attended in the past month.

Motion was introduced by Steggerda and seconded by VanIwaarden to hold a study session on the airport lease on July 10^th at 4pm prior to the board meeting.

The board discussed the possibilities for an optimal meeting time. 

The board agreed to discuss the study session at a later date, the motion was withdrawn by Steggerda.

Board will see the completed document June 13, 2008.  It will be posted on the web site also.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Ebihara to hold a special board meeting on Thursday, July 17^th at 6pm for the purpose of reviewing the airport lease committee recommendation of the airport lease.

Docter stated the fair will be a great event and the board is a great group of people to work with.  Planning Commission board members have begun to receive correspondence concerning burn ordinances.  Many communities have recently amended their burn ordinances specifically in relation to the dunes.  Park Township may want to revise their ordinance.

Kirk Briggs – 1950 South Shore Dr. – stated the Planning Commission should consider involving the fire department and referring to the clean air act for guidance.  He will relay the interest in the involvement of the Park Township Fire Department in this matter to the Chief.

Toscano stated there have been other ordinances in surrounding areas with regard to homeowners and would like to get them to the Planning Commission and the Park Township Fire Department for their review.

Docter stated Laketown Township has a similar ordinance that we could use as a sample.  Some neighborhoods have stricter policies but there are ordinances that should be in place that apply to the entire township.

Ebihara stated the cable inter-connects between Charter Communications and MACC TV will cease on June 25th.  MACC media is researching other options to serve the municipalities.  Ebihara recommends the meetings cease to be broadcast immediately.  There are several other options he shared for the board to review.

Visser explained the process of what happens when the interconnect goes down.

Ebihara stated it is not an effective use of taxpayer money to continue the service.

Visser stated he would call and suspend indefinitely MACC taping our meetings.

Price reviewed legislation pending regarding this issue.

The board had no objection to Mr. Visser performing this task on behalf of the Township.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Van Iwaarden to approve the check register for May, and the bills to be paid in June.

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Toscano suggested the Township explain the events relating to MACC TV on the web site.

James Forrester – 5100 152^nd Ave. – offered more money than the lease and would adhere to the same increases the Township has required in the lease.

Ebihara suggested Mr. Forrester e-mail his concerns to him or Deputy Clerk Dykens.

Julian Cappello- 2256 1^st Ave. – stated he has a few concerns with the Park Township Airport.  He attends master plan committee meetings and there are no provisions for the airport in the master plan.  He is concerned that we have four (4) more years on our current lease and pushing along so quickly.

BOARD COMMENTS

Dreyer stated that his personal experience with Mr. Kuipers was favorable. He wondered what the market is for red pine.

Visser stated the trees could be sold for approximately $1000.  Red Pine is not native to southern Michigan.  He would be willing to ask Mr. Kuipers to attend a meeting if the Board chooses.

Van Iwaarden stated this is something the township should consider.

Ebihara stated an RFP process may be in order for this project.

Steggerda stated Mr. Kuipers has done work for Ottawa County and Port Sheldon Township.

Price would like to include the Parks and Recreation Committee in the process.

The board agreed to ask Mr. Kuipers to attend a meeting and answer questions regarding this issue.

Mr. Visser reviewed the letter submitted by Mr. and Mrs. Beltman regarding the No Parking signs along Ottawa Beach Road.

VanIwaarden stated the main points of the letter.

Docter asked if we can ask for something to be removed that we did not ask to be placed there.

Steggerda stated that we should respond by referring them to the Ottawa County Road Commission.

The board agreed.

Dreyer asked if we have a plan of action regarding the recent flooding.

Docter stated he is concerned enough to ask the water treatment plant to stop the dewatering and research the possibilities.

Dreyer stated that he is concerned also and would like to see some documentation of water tables.  He would like the Township to begin monitoring the plant in some way.

Visser stated if the board or residents have anyone to recommend for this project to submit the name to him.

Docter reviewed a possible scope for the project.

Visser would like to include other areas from the Township in the scope.

Ebihara would like to move on this quickly.  He proposed holding a meeting in two (2) weeks and have representatives available from the BPW and the Water Treatment plant there for comment and education.

Steggerda asked if we should contact the DEQ on behalf of the residents.

Visser stated he would call on behalf of the residents.

Ebihara would like a press release regarding the steps taken by the board for the benefit of the residents.

Docter apologized not giving the Board more notice regarding the meeting held with the Ventura residents prior to the start of tonight’s meeting.

Docter asked Visser to explain what occurred on Greenwood and Post in relation to the flooding.

Visser explained the Ottawa County Road Commission made a request based on public safety (traffic) to the Ottawa County Drain Commission to pump the water from the road to the storm drain.

Visser will check into the pick up of the damaged items from the flooding process.

Ebihara thanked the Supervisor for his commitment to the township on this issue.

Steggerda asked when taxes would be collected for the airport.

The board stated winter would be the time of collection.

VanIwaarden reviewed a letter on behalf of a Mrs. Jacobs.  This letter is regarding a ditch on Post Ave. that is always filled with leaves placed there by the residents.

Visser stated the zoning dept has sent out letters and other authorities have been contacted.

VanIwaarden had some concern regarding number of pets in a household.

Docter stated he believes that is a function of the planning commission.

ADJOURN      

Daniele Dykens, Recording Secretary